Long Beach Comic Con Announces Guests of Honor & New Initiatives and Teases Programming for September 27-28, 2014

Long Beach, CA (September 9, 2014) – To celebrate its sixth year, Long Beach Comic Con is unveiling new initiatives including the show’s first ever Guests of Honor, this year’s official sponsors including media sponsor the Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex and programming devoted to a broad range of attendees — from cosplay enthusiasts to young adult readers. Long Beach Comic Con will be held on September 27 and 28, 2014 at the Long Beach Convention Center, where exhibiting publishers will include Archie Comics, Aspen Comics, Bottled Lightning, PaperFilms, Skybound Entertainment, Storm King Productions, Top Cow, and Valiant Entertainment, among others.

“We’re thrilled to have more guests at this year’s show than we’ve ever had before,” said Martha Donato, Long Beach Comic Con Executive Director and Co-Founder. “We recognize that attending conventions is a major commitment for comic book creators and we want to honor and celebrate some of the people who’ve joined us for six years running, as well as the writers and artists who are traveling across the country to attend our convention for the first time.”

As in past years, attendees will be treated to a wide array of programming. Highlights include:
* Panels devoted to fan favorite comic book characters including Batman, the Crow and Hellboy.
* Comic Book Publisher Spotlights moderated by BLOODY DISGUSTING, COMICVINE, IGN, THE NERDIST and others.
* Hero Complex moderated panels of pop culture, running the gamut from Robot Chicken to Young Justice to Women in Comics.
* A Young Adult panel featuring best-selling novelists Leigh Bardugo, Robin Benway, Cecil Castellucci, Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Johnston, and Margaret Stohl
* A Banned Books Week discussion led by the Newport Beach Branch Library
* Cosplay panels.
* Horror programming with guests like Dan Brereton (NOCTURNALS) and Mike Huddleston (THE STRAIN).
* Kids programming with KaBOOM! and creators like Eric Esquivel (BRAVEST WARRIORS), Travis Hanson (TANNER JONES AND THE QUEST FOR THE MONKEY STONE), Mike Kunkel (HEROBEAR) and Hannah Nance Partlow (ADVENTURE TIME). There will also be interactive panels where Tone Rodriguez will teach kids how to draw the Simpsons and Futurama characters and Peter Paul will teach “how to draw your dragon.”
* Animation panels dedicated to popular cartoons like GARGOYLES, SPECTACULAR SPIDER MAN, YOUNG JUSTICE, X-MEN and DISNEY AFTERNOON, and appearances by Greg Weisman and the Man of Action Studio.
* Screen Junkies Presents: Honest Trailers The Panel
* #MakeComics workshops where aspiring writers and artists can learn from comic book greats including Jon Bogdanove (POWER PACK), Tim Bradstreet (HELLBLAZER), Brian Buccellato (DETECTIVE COMICS), Joshua Fialkov (THE BUNKER) and Whilce Portacio (THE PUNISHER). Over two days, workshops will walk through the entire #makecomics process: from writing and drawing to running a Kickstarter and even publicizing the comic.

“Our programming has been a huge growth area for us this year,” said Phil Lawrence, Co-founder and Sales Director of Long Beach Comic Con. “We’re running more than 80 high quality panels over two days. There’s something for every fan, whether you want to hear about the latest from Image Comics or need tips for designing and building your first cosplay.”

Growth also extends to the show’s official sponsors. The CW’s The Flash, GenZe by Mahindra, the Laugh Factory, SGX Print, and the SUN NEWS have already signed on as official sponsors, and additional announcements are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests and exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Con, Saturday, September 27 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, September 28 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tickets are available now through the website: www.longbeachcomiccon.com.

“Our ticket sales are significantly up from last year at this same time,” said Donato. “If you’re thinking about attending this year’s show, I recommend buying your tickets in advance before we sell out and arriving both days before the show opens.”

Follow Long Beach Comic Con on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information.

About Long Beach Comic Con

Long Beach Comic Con is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center that celebrates comic books and pop culture and showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Con, you’ll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. Long Beach Comic Con is a MAD Event Management, LLC production. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.longbeachcomiccon.com.

Collector’s Paradise 20th Anniversary Celebration starts in style as we welcome a very long time friend of the store, artist extraordinaire and founder of Top Cow Productions, Inc., Marc Silvestri. Collector’s Paradise has always had a fantastic relationship with Marc and the rest of Top Cow. Dozens of Signings over the last 20 years, including two previous signings with Marc.

Mr. Silvestri has agreed to raffle off two sketches. For every $20 spent on Top Cow Productions or Image Comics comics or Graphic Novels, you will get a Raffle Ticket.

In addition to the signing, that day is the first day of the Weekly Sale, with ANYTHING in the store, besides Comics & Graphic Novels being 25% OFF.

On November 1st-3rd, 2013, the Los Angeles Convention Center was home to Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo! After an extremely successful first year, the guest list was even better, the show moved from the parking lot to the main floor, and even added an extra day to maximize the con! Although it was primed to be better than ever, the show this year was a bit flat compared to the previous year.
The show floor seemed a bit out of sorts, with artist alley scattered all over the place, and it lacked the charm of the first show. Friday also didn’t seem to work out for the expo, as it was mostly empty. The crowds were definitely better during the weekend, but still lacked the excitement of the inaugural show. It was still a good show, with some cool panels and some great guests, but I think the appeal with the groupon deal last year was a huge part in why families flocked to the show. And I think Friday isn’t necessary in LA, especially when people have to battle Friday and Laker game traffic. I’m looking forward to next year’s Comikaze to get better as they adjust to the growing pains of a new show, and know that the best is yet to come!

Now, on to some photos!

Welcome to Comikaze 2013!

What good is Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo, without the man himself? Here he is signing autographs!

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A shot of the special stage reserved for the main panel!

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An awesome Masters of the Universe display!

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The Aspen booth set up and ready to go!

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Nerd Machine representing at Comikaze!

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One of the best exhibits at Comikaze. Old school arcades and video games!

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Fan favorite artist Marc Silvestri interacting and signing for fans.

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Spiderman artist Humberto Ramos drawing one of his many commissions during the show!

Scene on the Web Weekly: April 8-14, 2013

David Steward II applies his father’s tech savvy to comic book businessThe son’s newest venture is modeled after his father’s success by embracing technology. Steward is managing director of Lion Forge Comics, which brings savvy with new media and new ways of developing and distributing media to the age-old experience of thumbing through a comic book.

‘Veronica Mars’ Movie: Rob Thomas Formalizes Comic-Con PlansWith less than two days to go before it ends, the Veronica Mars movie Kickstarter just passed $5 million — handsomely surpassing its $2 million goal. And as the updates come fast and furious from creator Rob Thomas, the creator announced Wednesday formal plans for programming at summer’s San Diego Comic-Con.

Kids Comic Con Returns May 11 to Bronx Community CollegeReturning to the campus of the Bronx Community College, the seventh annual Kids Comic Con will kick off on May 11 with more than 30 exhibitors, including Viz Media, Papercutz, Archie Comics, Jim Henson/Sesame Street and Scholastic Book Fairs, in addition to a slate of panels, film screenings and hands-on workshops on creating comics.

I create…excitement with cool announcements: Welcome @TopCow ‘s own @Marc_Silvestri to #NYCC! http://ht.ly/jVYv8New York Comic Con

CARGO – Tropfest Australia 2013 Finalist (TSI "Balloon")TROPFEST

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Ghostbusters, R2-D2, and DC/Marvel artist to be at biggest-ever Flint ComixconFLINT, MI — If the 2013 Flint Comixcon is any indication, one thing is clear: Flint loves comics. Or maybe that should be "Comix." Celebrating the fourth year of Flint Comix — a local monthly newsprint publication featuring a variety of comics — Editor-in-Chief and local cartoonist Randy Zimmerman said the annual event is the biggest yet.

"Firefly" Hat Triggers Corporate CrackdownActor Adam Baldwin as Jayne Cobb. Joss Whedon: Here’s the thing about the hat. It’s tangible, it’s DIY, it’s not wearing an entire costume. You can have the hat and go to your day job. It’s everything that should work for cult… it’s the specificity and the fact that it’s got that homemade feel.

MoCCA Fest 2013! Yesterday I attended Mo…minussleep.tumblr.com

10 of the Most Bizarre Conventions That Boast Amazingly High AttendanceWhen it comes to fan conventions, it’s not always easy to find the baseline for what’s considered "bizarre." One of the common elements between most fan conventions is that they’re all a bit strange in their own ways.

New Parent Idea:1. Take pictures of you pulling baby out of spacecraft in forest.2. Hide pictures in attic for kid to find when he’s 10.Matt Roller

Elysium – Official Trailer (HD) Matt Damonjoblomovienetwork

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Vader’s™ Little Princess — Book TrailerChronicleBooks

Caught Darth Maul himself posing with the 501st Legion! @planetcomiconinstagram.com

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Planet Comicon: Cosplay Gallery 2 " Project-NerdPlanet Comicon took over Kansas City last weekend (April 6th-7th). Amongst the many in attendance were some amazing cosplayers; both amateur and professional. Many of the great attendants allowed our camera crew to take some photos of the great costumes to share with the world.

MoCCA Awards of Excellence Winners 2013 and show wrap-upNaked honesty: I’m too wiped out from this weekend’s MoCCA Festival to write much about it. It was a blast. But here are the winners of the inaugural MoCCA Awards of Excellence, as chosen by judges Karen Berger, Gary Groth, Nora Krug, David Mazzucchelli, and Paul Pope.

"Many a monster wears the form of a man; it is better of the two to have the heart of a man & the form of a monster" http://pic.twitter.com/SNS1zckYY8twitter.com

Fire marshal turns away hundreds at packed Tampa Comic ConTAMPA – The crowd started building in the morning. By noon Sunday, it was clear to organizers of Tampa Bay Comic Con they needed a bigger venue.The lobby at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel was swamped. A line snaked out the door to the parking lot. Hallways clogged with vendors and costumed fans.

Tampa Bay Comic Con draws capacity crowdTAMPA – Lisa Szarleta gave an important piece of information to St. Petersburg artist Nigel Williams. In a small corner inside the Westshore DoubleTree on Sunday, she told Williams that a caricature of her 13-year-old daughter Hannah should be in the form of a zombie.

Marc Silvestri, Matt Hawkins, and Rahsan Ekedal sign at Phat Collectibles on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm! The first ten people in line plus five lucky raffle winners will receive a free head sketch from Silvestri!

The First 25 People in Line Get a Head Sketch on 1 of the Limit of 3 Items Signed + 1 FREE Collectors Corner Logo Bag.
12 Noon til Last Person’s Items are Signed.

Signing Starts at 12:00 Noon.

Line will be Capped at 500.

Marc will Sign until the Last Person in Line with the 500 Person Capped Line.

Limit 3 Items Per Person Signed.

CGC Signature Series Will Available for 1 Item Per Person, counting toward the Limit of 3.

The NEW Cyber Force #1 Will be Given Out for FREE Pre-Signed by Marc to the First 200 In Line.

Plus The Walking Dead #100 Marc Silvestri Cover will be Available for a Minimum of $5 Per Person with the Full Amount going toward Hurricane Sandy Relief. This Cover May be Purchased to get Signed In Addition to the 3 Item Limit Per Person.

(We have a Limited Quantity of 200 Copies, First Come First Served)

Line will be permitted to form as early as 9:00 AM on Saturday morning. Camping out is encouraged but hold your place in line if you decide to camp out the night before.

Come buy Golden, Silver, Bronze and Modern comic books, as well as toys and merchandise, at the 3rd annual So Cal Comic Con! Meet Guest of Honor Marc Silvestri and over a dozen artists and writers, including Eric Basaldua, Joe Benitez, Ale Garza, Mike McKone, Marat Mychaels, Tone Rodriguez and Joe Weems! Free gift bags for the 1st 100 people in line, along with raffles all day for prizes like Avengers #1 from 1963 SIGNED by Stan Lee, and a Jim Lee sketched Icons Previews Exclusive Hardcover! Meet publishers like Top Cow, IDW, and Aspen Comics and buy convention exclusive products.

Creator/Artist Marc Silvestri and writer Matt Hawkins sign at Collector’s Paradise on Sunday October 21, 2012 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. They will give away FREE copies of the new Cyberforce #1! Also the first 25 people in line will receive a free head sketch from Silvestri and the first 100 people will receive a free exclusive print with a Minimum purchase of $10.00.

Creator/Artist Marc Silvestri and writer Matt Hawkins sign at Phat Collectibles on Saturday October 20, 2012 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. They will give away FREE copies of the new Cyberforce #1! Also the first 25 people in line will receive a free head sketch from Silvestri and the first 100 people will receive a free exclusive print with a Minimum purchase of $10.00.